Personal Website of Matthew O'Hare

Into The Theatre We Go

This week the company have been moving between Vidmarhallen, our rehearsal studios in the city, and the Stadtteater – Bern’s very own Opera House where our next programme, ‘Lions, Tigers & Women’ will be premiering.

There has been lighting rehearsals, a vital part of putting any show together and as slow and laborious as it can seem at times for the dancers going from point A to B and back again, it is extremely important we spend the time to get it right now. The dancer’s in Andrea Miller’s piece ‘Forplay’ have tried their costumes on, quite a bright surprise awaits the audience on premiere night is all I’m saying!

Yesterday the band that are playing for Cathy’s creation – The Pamela Mendez Band – joined us on stage, the base player was missing as he’s away on tour with another band so I stepped in as I’m covering for that piece – I had great fun spending the morning being a rock star as these photographs show:

Me Rocking Out With The Band

Shot from yesterday's rehearsal

The count down is really on now until the premiere on 18th April, we are using this time to really clean everything down to a fine clean product that we hope will turn out to be just as successful as the last programme. Besides 7 performances at the Stadtteater in Bern we are also performing around Switzerland as part of the Steps Dance Festival, so a nice tour to look forward to taking in Zurich, St. Gallen and Chiasso amongst other places.

Today the company are working on Andrea’s piece putting some last minute changes and touches to it, bringing it together into a real solid strong piece of choreography. We had a great Gaga technique class this morning with Andrea, it’s such a beautiful way of moving and something that gives me so much joy to do. The entire company where in great spirits after such an inspiring morning!

Andrea's Piece Taking Shape

Tomorrow we will spend some time working on Cathy’s piece and Andrea’s, I will also be filming my video interview with Cathy speaking about her creation so stay posted for that one! We break for easter Friday-Monday and then it’s straight back into the theatre and cracking on with rehearsals as we build up to the big night which everyone is very much looking forward to the closer it get’s! Here’s a few photographs for you’re enjoyment, first the band setting up on stage, second, Pamela Mendez album cover, third one of the campsite’s where Vivienne and Bernard set up whilst on their hunt – the inspiration for Cathy’s creation, and finally another shot of the girls from the company with the lion skins from that very hunt.